PIKES PEAK HILL CLIMB AWARDS CEREMONY HONORS THE PAST AND CELEBRATES 2025 WINNERS
Colorado Springs, CO — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo gathered drivers from the 103rd running on June 23 to celebrate podium finishers, and special award winners, at Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The 2025 PPIHC Awards Ceremony, presented by B.R.M Chronographes, was marked by rookies on the podium in three divisions, a fourth-generation racer, many heartfelt congratulations, and a new King of the Mountain.
In a year that saw four former Kings of the Mountain return to Pikes Peak, along with six women competitors, there was much to celebrate.
Before the ceremony kicked off, PPIHC Hall of Famer, and 20-year competitor, Jeff Zwart offered remarks, sharing, “On the Front Range of Colorado, one mountain stands alone, Pikes Peak. And the road up this mountain creates stories of personal pursuit that engage and inspire.”
Zwart mentioned several notable stories from 2025 including Michèle Mouton’s PPIHC Hall of Fame induction, as well as race week comebacks by Lance Fenderson and Tyler Pappas who both suffered crashes, but through the dedication of their crews, and Winslow BMW, were able to compete on Sunday.
Special awards were announced to begin the ceremony, including the Henry Bresciani Award. This tribute award is given in memory of Bresciani, a race official who died during a practice session on the mountain 20 years ago. John Schwanz, a 19-year volunteer race official, truly exemplifies Bresciani’s dedication to the event and was honored with this year’s award, presented by PPIHC Board Chairman, Luke Smith.
The Bergmeister Trophy, an annual award supported by Porsche Colorado Springs and Fred Veitch, is given to the fastest Porsche on the mountain. Along with the trophy, presented by Joe Brenner of Porsche Colorado Springs, comes a $1,000 donation to the charity of the recipient’s choice.
Loni Unser was honored with the trophy for her result in the BBi-prepped, Mobil 1-sponsored, 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo Cup, and chose Shift Up Now to receive the cash award.
Unser finished 3rd in the Pikes Peak Open division, and 10th place overall with her time of 04:15.988.
The U.S. Army’s 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was back on Pikes Peak for the 103rd Running with a military convoy to deliver the checkered flags to the finish line this year.
For the second consecutive year, this unit offered the Be All You Can Be award, this time choosing three worthy recipients, Eli Olivas, Tracy Gaudu, and Lance Fenderson, all Pikes Peak rookies in 2025.
In a partnership with HELLA, PPIHC welcomed Rob Tinson, VP Business Development, to unveil two new awards. The first was the HELLA Heritage Award given to the driver with the most years behind the wheel on Pikes Peak. Clint Vahsholtz was the recipient, not only for his years of competition on the mountain, but for the legacy his family has etched on the mountain over the past 44 years.
The second HELLA presentation was the HELLA Hype award. This recipient was chosen by HELLA, based on fan comments and engagement on social media. California-based rookie, Kyle Wilder, was the clear winner for his Pikes Peak Open entry, a 2019 Camaro SS 1LE.
PPIHC CEO, Melissa Eickhoff, congratulated all drivers in her remarks, thanking them for embracing the unexpected challenge of a shortened course this year, and putting on a show for the fans.
She also thanked Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain for sponsoring the Exhibition division, while recognizing entrants, Rob Walker, Fred Veitch and Dai Yoshihara. Eickhoff shared, “You all showcased the best of Pikes Peak – from the electric Hyundai IONIQ, to a vintage 1972 Porsche ST, to a first-ever hydrogen fueled entry on the mountain. This is what makes Pikes Peak so unique. It’s the perfect course to prove technology under tough conditions.”
The Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama division ran two classes, Turbo and Naturally Aspirated. Steve Wetterau, a first time racer on the mountain, brought a 2025 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 Evo to take the win in the Turbo class. Shelly Vahsholtz of PPIHC Timing and Scoring, presented the timepiece on behalf of B.R.M, and Yokohama’s Tricia Wall was the trophy presenter.
A rookie and two veterans took the podium in the naturally aspirated class. Cam Ingram claimed first in the 2024 Ford S650 Mustang. Emelia Hartford, social media influencer, actress, and rookie on the mountain, took second in her 2022 Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport, and 2020 King of the Mountain, Clint Vahsholtz, clinched third in a 2023 Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport – the two were separated by 0.279 seconds.
The Time Attack 1 division, presented by HELLA, welcomed Robb Holland to the top of the podium for his effort in a 2023 Porsche GT3 Cup. His time was 04:24.478.
Once again, the battle for second and third was tight with less than a second separating the two. Second place went to a familiar face on Pikes Peak, David Donohue, in his 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S in 04:27.673. First time competitor, Damien Bradley, of the UK finished third in his 1992 Subaru Legacy in 04:28.395.
The Open Wheel division, presented by the Museum of American Speed, welcomed a podium of Colorado competitors. Dan Novembre, of Colorado Springs earned his first ever division win by besting Codie Vahsholtz. Novembre’s time of 03:57.774, clocked in his 2013 Wolf GB08S TC Special, also earned him a fourth place overall finish.
During the ceremony Novembre held up a vintage PPIHC hat and shared, “This is the hat that turned into a dream. I got this at Pikes Peak 30 years ago as a kid, and it has all my driver hero’s signatures. I never thought I’d be racing against them today.” Novembre, referring to the Vahsholtz open wheel entry, continued, “I’ve been chasing that car ever since Clint ran it. This is just a dream come true.”
Rodney O’Maley of Colorado Springs was awarded third place for his run in his purpose-built 2018 O’Maley Special Spec VIII. All three competitors set qualifying times in the Fast 15, and all three finished in the top 15.
The Pikes Peak Open division, presented by Olson Plumbing & Heating, welcomed an impressive group to the podium, led by division winner, and 5-time former King of the Mountain, Romain Dumas in the 2025 Super Mustang Mach-E with a time of 03:42.252.
With the extreme winds in the upper section limiting the race day run to Glen Cove, Dumas would finish second overall to Italy’s Simone Faggioli.
Colorado’s own, Jimmy Ford, took second in 04:08.193, in the 2017 Ford Mustang. Jimmy Ford finished second in the division in 2024 as well, proving he has what it takes to run at the top of the field. Ford, along with the other podium finishers, were all Fast 15 qualifiers.
Loni Unser, fourth generation racer from the Unser dynasty, finished third in the eye-catching 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo Cup, prepped by BBi.
Unser was an award winner, trophy presenter for the Museum of American Speed and podium finisher.
The final division to be presented was Unlimited, presented by the Colorado Springs Airport. In only his second run on Pikes Peak, Italian racer, Simone Faggioli captured the Unlimited division win and the King of the Mountain crown. In his Nova Proto NP01 Bardahl, he set the fast time of the day – 03:37.196.
In addition to his Pikes Peak B.R.M winner’s watch and King of the Mountain Trophy, Faggioli received the Unser Legacy King of the Mountain Ring provided by the Museum of American Speed in partnership with Jostens.
With a nod to Dumas during the trophy presentation, Faggioli acknowledged that the outcome may have been reversed, if drivers had run the full course.
Faggioli’s teammate, Diego Degasperi finished second in division, and third overall, to be named 2025 Rookie of the Year. David Donner, of Colorado Springs, a three-time King of the Mountain, took third in the Unlimited division in his 2025 Wolf Aurobay GB08, finishing fifth overall.
Photo Credit: PPIHC – Larry Chen, Cecília Veréb
